Elephant Tree

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Elephant Tree
• Mexican Frankincense

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Terebinthus fagaroides
• Terebinthus schaffneri
• Elaphrium odoratum
• Terebinthus odorata
• Elaphrium tenuifolium
• Elaphrium lonchophyllum
• Bursera fagaroides f. bourgeauana
• Bursera fagaroides f. ramosissima
• Bursera lonchophylla
• Bursera odorata
• Bursera purpusii
• Bursera schaffneri
• Amyris fagaroides
• Amyris ventricosa
• Elaphrium fagaroides
• Elaphrium covillei
• Elaphrium schaffneri
• Elaphrium purpusii
• Bursera obovata
• Elaphrium obovatum
• Bursera fagaroides f. crenulata
• Bursera fagaroides f. elliptica
• Bursera fagaroides var. elongata
• Bursera fagaroides var. purpusii
• Bursera covillei

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is classified within the order Sapindales and the family Burseraeaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic designation is found within the genus Bursera.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical range spanning parts of North America and Mexico. In the United States, its presence is specifically noted within the state of Arizona. Moving south, the species is widely distributed throughout various regions of Mexico. It can be found inhabiting the central, northeastern, and northwestern territories of the country. Additionally, its distribution extends into the coastal areas of the Mexico Gulf.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Bursera fagaroides is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to establish a long-term presence within its ecological niche. As a perennial, the plant undergoes multiple growth cycles over several years, demonstrating a sustained biological investment in survival and reproduction. Complementing its long-lived nature is its deciduous growth habit; the plant periodically sheds its foliage, a strategy often employed to manage water loss and respond to seasonal environmental shifts. This cycle of leaf senescence and regrowth defines its seasonal rhythm, balancing metabolic activity with periods of dormancy to ensure its continued persistence in the landscape.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Bursera fagaroides is characterized by its woody structure and diverse growth habits, manifesting primarily as a tree or a shrub. It is a terrestrial species that functions as an independent organism, neither acting as a parasite nor an epiphyte. The plant typically reaches an average height of 4.44 meters and maintains a self-supporting stature, rather than functioning as a liana or a vine.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

4.44 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Bursera fagaroides is characterized by its specific metabolic and nutritional strategies adapted to its environment. The plant utilizes the C3 photosynthetic pathway, a process where carbon dioxide is fixed directly into a three-carbon compound during the Calvin cycle, which is typical for many woody species in its genus. Furthermore, Bursera fagaroides does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms, relying instead on the uptake of available nitrogen from the soil through its root system.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Bursera fagaroides involves complex mechanisms for seed production and distribution, characterized by a diverse range of dispersal syndromes. While the plant may utilize various methods for seed movement, its primary dispersal strategy is identified as zoochorous, meaning seeds are actively or passively transported by animals. However, the reproductive potential of the species is supported by a broad spectrum of dispersal modes, including anemochorous (wind dispersal), autochorous (self-dispersal or explosive mechanisms), and hydrochorous (water dispersal) strategies, alongside unspecialized methods that allow for opportunistic spread. This multi-modal approach to dispersal ensures that seeds can navigate different environmental conditions and colonize new habitats effectively through both biotic and abiotic vectors.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Bursera fagaroides has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Acetyl podophyllotoxin, Burseranin, Lignans.

Acetyl podophyllotoxin

1. Journal of natural products

Burseranin

1. Journal of natural products

Lignans

1. Life (Basel, Switzerland)

Preparations

Bursera fagaroides has 2 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include bark extracts, resin.

Bark extracts

1. Life (Basel, Switzerland)

Resin

1. Natural product research